Thousands cry "out Dilma!" on streets of Rio

Monday, March 16, 2015 - 01:02

Thousands of anti-government protesters rally in Rio de Janeiro against President Dilma Rousseff who is facing criticism over the Petrobras scandal, austerity measures and the stalling economy. Gavino Garay reports.

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Protesters have had enough of President Dilma Rousseff's rule here in Rio where the thousands are taking to Copacabana to say it's time for her and the PT party to go.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) UNIDENTIFIED DEMONSTRATOR, SAYING:
"Get out PT, get out Dilma. Enough of the impunity and stealing."
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) UNIDENTIFIED DEMONSTRATOR, SAYING:
"Brazil doesn't belong to PT, Brazil is ours. Get out Dilma, get out PT. Enough of this."
It's the start of nationwide demonstrations against the leftist president, who is facing a fierce wave of scrutiny over a stalling economy, unpopular budget cuts, and a corruption scandal involving oil company Petrobras.
Local media say as many at 15,000 turned out in Rio alone, demanding her removal from power.
The growing political uncertainty is leaving the economy on shaky footing, with the real plunging to its lowest levels in more than a decade.